Characteristics of Patients Treated for Orbital Infections: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction The orbital tissues of the eye can be affected by infections, a serious clinical illness that can have potentially fatal consequences. The study aimed to identify the demographic data, the categories of orbital infections based on Chandler's classification, and the underlying causes of orbital infections to ascertain the characteristics of patients admitted with orbital infections. We also looked at the management practices and their results. Materials and methods The Department of ENT - Head and Neck Surgery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Islamabad was the chosen site of this retrospective study. A total of 63 patients were included in the study. Data including patients' age, gender, type of orbital infection, inciting cause, management carried out, and treatment success were extracted from their discharge forms between January 2022 and December 2024. Following statistical analysis, the information collected was presented as tables and figures. Results Out of the total, 40 (63.49%) patients were female. The median age of patients was 34.5 years. Most patients were diagnosed with subperiosteal abscesses (33, 52.38%). The most common cause was sinusitis, which was present in 41 (65.07%) patients. Out of the total, 47 (74.60%) patients were successfully managed conservatively using broad-spectrum antibiotics and symptomatic treatment, and 12 (19.05%) underwent surgical intervention to drain the abscess. Conclusions The orbital infections were most common in middle-aged female patients, with subperiosteal abscess being the most common type. Sinusitis was the most common cause. Most patients were managed successfully with intravenous antibiotics, with few needing surgical intervention.